Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko wants to see more domestic goods on Belarusian market

An archive photo

MINSK, 16 February (BelTA) – The more Belarusian-made, organic and high-quality goods we have on the domestic market, the better it will be, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the general meeting of the Belarusian national union of consumer societies Belkoopsoyuz in Minsk on 16 February, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also urged to work harder to replace imports "so that Belarus does not have to buy canned peas, corn, baby food, ketchup and the like for foreign currency."

Two years ago, the head of state noted that the Belarusian canned fruits and vegetables accounted for about 50% of the domestic market and juices and pickled vegetables - a little more than 60%.

"I suggested that Belkoopsoyuz do their best and occupy these niches. Find ways, plant more gardens if there are not enough of them. Build greenhouses and make finished products from peas to cucumbers and tomatoes. Today, we see the statistics: over the past year the share of domestic products in retail grew only for juices and canned fruits and vegetables, just as little as about 10%. This is not enough. Please, understand that the more Belarusian-made, organic and high-quality products we have on our market, the better it will be for everyone. Thus your production facilities will be utilized 100%. So far, judging by the documents, they are far from being fully utilized," the president said.

"It means that you need to make your products and services more visible to consumers. Find those who are ready to place orders with your plants. Let me repeat once again: you do well at exhibitions but not so well in retail. This should change," the president emphasized.

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